Sylvester Turner, Texas Rep. who replaced Sheila Jackson Lee, dies at 70

Rep. Sylvester Turner, a prominent Democratic lawmaker from Texas, passed away on Tuesday night at the age of 70. Turner, who had previously served as the mayor of Houston, Texas, was elected to fill the seat left vacant by the late Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, who passed away in July of last year.

With a remarkable 27-year tenure in the Texas House of Representatives, Turner made significant contributions to the state before transitioning to local politics as the mayor of Houston in 2015 and subsequently winning re-election in 2019. Despite battling osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer, since 2022, Turner remained dedicated to his duties and was even present on Capitol Hill just hours before President Donald Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress.

Following the news of Turner’s passing, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York paid tribute to the late congressman. Jeffries highlighted Turner’s commitment to his constituents and his advocacy for important issues, such as Medicaid. Turner’s final message to his constituents emphasized the importance of protecting Medicaid, showcasing his unwavering dedication to serving the people of his district.

As of now, Turner’s office has not released an official statement regarding his passing. This story is still developing, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

Anders Hagstrom, a reporter with Fox News Digital specializing in national politics and breaking news events, contributed to this article. For any tips or inquiries, you can reach out to Anders Hagstrom via email at Anders.Hagstrom@Fox.com or connect with him on Twitter at @Hagstrom_Anders.

Please stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.